Collating device



8' J. A. GILLETTE 2,052,343

' COLLIATINGDEVICE Filed Oct. 25, 1935 2 Sheets-sheet 1.

Aug. 25,1936. J,IA, GILLETTE 2,052,348

GOLLATING DEVICE Filed Oct. 23, 1935 f 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 y Ill/[Illllll/ Patented Aug. 25, 1936 ii "U ED STATES ATENT FFIQE 2,052,348 7 oonLA'rmG DEVICE John Addison Gillette, Oak Park, Ill.

Application October 23, 1935, Serial No. 46,403

4Claims. (01. 211-150) This invention relatesto a collating devicefor facilitating the assemblyof a number of mimeographed sheets or the like,- and more particularly to improved means forsupporting a plu- 'rality of shelves in adevice of this character in either extended or closed positions.

1 vThe primary object of the invention is to provide a substantial and durable device which may be folded up and occupy a minimum of space when notin use and yet be adapted to be extended into operative position, without difliculty.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings in which-- Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a device embodying the invention; Fig. 2, a broken elevational view showing the shelves in closed and latched position; Fig. 3, a broken plan sectional view taken as indicated at line 3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4,

2 a fragmentary plan view of the upper portion of the frame; Fig. 5, a broken elevational view of the rear end of a supporting link; Fig. 6, an end elevational view of the same; Fig. 7, a broken sectional view of the rear end of one of the shelves; Fig. 8, a plan view of the same; Fig. 9,

a broken vertical sectional view taken as indicated at line 9 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 10, a broken sectional view taken as indicated at line Ill-I0 of Fig. 9.

In the embodiment illustrated, A designates a main frame provided with pivotally mounted shelves A; and B a supporting structure.

The frame A is shown in the form of a rectangle made of a single strip of strap ironhaving its ends joined together at one end of the rectangle and provided at each end with suitable handles [2. .To the inside of said frame are rigidly connected longitudinal straps I3 which are perforated and serve to clamp single headed studs 40 I4 against the frame II. The straps I 3 are secured in place by means of bolts l5 and the studs l4 extend inwardly through the perforations and provide trunnions for pivotally supporting the shelves A.

45 The shelves A, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 may be made of sheet metal and are open at their front and side portions. If desired, the front edge portion may be provided with a suitable notch IE to facilitate grasping sheets of stationcry or the like resting thereon. Preferably the rear end of the shelf is turned upwardly as indicated at I! and is connected by spot welding or the like to a pair of rearwardly extending arms l8 which may be described as S-shaped. These 55 arms, if desired, may be integrally formed with a connecting member H! which in turn is welded to the rear of the shelf. The lower portion of the arms l8 as shown in Fig. 7 are provided with perforations 2B which are impaled by the inwardly extending shank 2| of the capped studs. The 5 other ends of the arms are provided with perforations 22 to receive rivets 23 and provide a pivotal connection with bars 24 which enable all of the shelves to be oscillated simultaneously into substantially the plane of the frame A as shown 10 in Fig. 2 or be extended into the normal operative position indicated in Fig. 1. When in extended position each shelf above the bottom shelf rests on the top of the upturned rear portion I! of the underlying shelf. This provides a stepped rela- 15 tion whereby each shelf is in partly superposed position and the shelves are readily accessible individually. The conformation of the arms l8 permits the shelves to be swung into the closed turned to the position shown in Fig. 2 and the frame swung from the inclined position shown, to a vertical position the bail will automatically drop down and latch the shelves in closed position so that there will be no danger of their opening accidentally.

The frame is further provided with a pair of links 29 which are pivotally connected to the frame at 30 and extend rearwardly to engage the supporting structure and hold the frame in inclined position. The links are shown provided with spring clips 3! which are riveted to the member at 32 and are adapted to snap over the frame II and prevent their being accidentally displaced when the device is folded up for storage.

The storage structure B may be of any suitable construction and is shown in the form of a pair of horizontal members 33 provided with feet 34 and rigidly connected with each other in spaced relation by means of a cross bar 35. A pair of tubular standards 36 are mounted on the members 33 and connected by a cross bar 31 and braced by a pair of members 38 and 39. The tops of the standards are provided with inwardly extending trunnions which make a pivotal connection with downwardly extending ears 4| provided on the frame A.

As will be readily understood, the device is used to support groups of different pages and the operator may easily and quickly assemble a complete set by drawing one sheet from each shelf. To fold up the device the handle 26 is raised which will cause all of the shelves to swing to their closed position, and after the links 29 have been raised and snapped against the frame the frame may be tilted to vertical position which will cause the shelves to become latched by the bail 2'! and the device may easily be carried to some out of the way position.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

I claim:

1. A collating device comprising: a supporting structure; a frame pivotally mounted in said structure provided with latching means for releasably holding said frame in inclined position; a plurality of laterally open shelves pivotally mounted in said frame so as to lie in substantially the plane of said frame when in closed position and when in extended position to lie in stepped relation with each shelf above the bottom resting on the upwardly extending rear edge portion of the adjacent underlying shelf.

2. A collating device comprising: a frame, a plurality of laterally open shelves having 8- 5 shaped rearwardly extending arms whose front legs are pivotally connected to said frame, and bars pivotally connected to the rear legs of said arms so that all of said shelves may be oscillated simultaneously from extended position into closed 10 position with all of the shelves lying substantially in the same plane and the front legs of the arms coming into juxtaposition with the rear legs of the next succeeding arms.

3. A device as specified in claim 2, in which the 15 frame is pivotally mounted in a suitable structure having means for holding said frame in inclined position, and said frame is provided with a bail pivotally mounted so as to automatically latch said shelves when the frame is swung upwardly 20 with the shelves in closed position.

4. A device as specified in claim 2, in. which the pivotal connections between the arms and frame comprise a plurality of studs having heads disposed betweenthe side walls of the frame and 25 longitudinal straps secured to said frame, said studs having inwardly directed shanks forming trunnions which impale said arms.

JOHN ADDISON GIILE'I'I'E. 

